Wednesday 15 October 2014

Final Work Showcase 9 (Platinum Engagement Ring)

Yet a another beautiful variation of the classic Engagement Ring in a classic white metal known as platinum.


Graduated diamonds elegantly recede in claw settings from a central stone of 0.55 cts, Platinum allows for very dainty jewellery as the metal retains its strength even if it is worked to very thin thicknesses.

Monday 19 May 2014

Work Stages (Progression of Digital Art Painting)

I love tiaras and drawing or even better making them, is my passion. Sometimes the inspiration takes me and before I know it I have doodled a concept design for a tiara. If the design inspires me further I may continue the picture but digital methods often lend themselves to experimentation.

This swan inspired tiara was begun in pencil and then taken further in Microsoft Paint (with a mouse). 

I printed out my previous digital doodle, drew on it some more with pen and then re-imported it into Microsoft Paint and continued further also adding more facial features. 

The earring and necklace design was then also roughly sketched on paper with the intent on copy and pasting it onto the developing art work. 

With the earring added the rest of the detail and facial features were to be taken to the max in digital only. 

Progression in the face and stones. 

This was the final result with the intent of adding a different necklace than the original design idea. 

The alternate necklace design ended up being a choker and with the addition of a fur detail finished my inspired painting in Microsoft Paint. 

Perhaps the original necklace concept may become part of a new digital painting....

Final Work Showcase 8 (Silver Eagle Cuff Links)

A set of Cuff Links made from solid silver to represent stylized eagles. These were made end of 2013 for a matric dance. The eagle and its 9 pinion feathers were a pre-requisite of the client and thus purposely included. 

The rough finish and oxidizing was intended to tone down the " bling factor" and imbue the cuff links with a more down toned sophistication.

The final product was much appreciated by the client.


Final Work Showcase 7 (9ct White Gold Engagement Ring)

Hand crafted in 9ct White Gold and set as per client request entirely with Cubic Zirconia. It seems that the more thrifty clients these days know how to prioritize cash flow as the synthetic Cubic Zirconias may very easily be swapped for diamonds at a later stage.

Geometric design and classic symmetry combine to form the very straight forward yet extremely "bling"  engagement ring. It was made end of 2013. 

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Find me on Instagram, (dukeofswann)

I have recently joined Instagram. This medium assists greatly in sharing as much of my work and even some of my life's experiences. Join me on Instagram if you'd like almost daily updates on my drawings, jewellery and some of my other hobbies. 

Here is a taste of some of my Instagram quik pics. 

A quick sketch done in marker pens and ball point pen. 

Silver and pearl earrings finished just yesterday. 

One of my dance performances.

Hope to see you on Instagram, (dukeofswann) 

Friday 21 February 2014

Final Work Showcase 6 (Spanish Dancer Digital Painting)

I think my full length Spanish Dancer is finally finished. It is made to be printed out on A1 without pixilation. 


This post serves as written permission for anyone to download or copying of this image but only if credit is given to the artist and creator of this blog for originating this work. Permission is given for download and copying but not for sale of those copies. 

Final Work Showcase 5 (Evenstar Pendant)

Hand crafted from solid silver and set with cubic zirconias, this pendant, inspired by the famous one from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy may also be made in white gold and diamonds. The quality and beauty surpasses any of the mass produced versions for sale on the internet (see for yourself). 


The pendant is approx 4cm in length and weighs about 13grams. 


For more info email the jeweller at danielgswan@hotmail.com. 

Monday 3 February 2014

Final Work Showcase 4 (Barbie Doll Tiaras)

I have always loved crowns and tiaras. This passion started die to two major events that occurred in the 6th year of my life. I won a competition in my pre-school and part of the prize was to be crowned king of the pre-school. The cardboard crown became one of my favourite toys. This mind altering event was followed a few months later by the televised wedding of Princess Diana. Her scintillating tiara flashed so brightly that the sparkling seared itself into my mind forever. I had to be involved with that sparkle all my life, so I became a jeweller. Sadly, one hardly ever get the opportunity to make crowns and tiaras. In order to satiate my desire for surrounding myself with sparkly head jewellery, I began making them (from costume jewellery) for Barbie Dolls. It was actually this hobby, beginning at about age 12, that lead me to became a jeweller by trade. 

For today's post I thought I'd post on the only two "real" Barbie tiaras I've ever made. These two 1\6th scale (Barbie Doll Scale) tiaras are made from solid sterling silver and set with synthetic stones. I wish I had the ready cash to have made them in white gold and diamonds. 

Silver and Cubic Zirconia Barbie Doll Tiara.

Silver and Synthetic Sapphire and Cubic Zirconia Barbie Doll Tiara.


These tiaras are for sale or others could be designed from scratch. For more info, email me. 
danielgswan@hotmail.com

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Final Work Showcase 3 (Orange Sapphire Engagement Ring)

To start 2014 with a bang, I will post one of the most exciting pieces I did end 2013. 

18ct Yellow Gold Engagement Ring set with 22 times 0.015pt Diamonds and a 1.15ct Oval " Padparadshahesque" Sapphire.